U.S. condemns attacks in Colombo, Ki'linochchi on civilians

[TamilNet, Thursday, 29 November 2007, 15:03 GMT]The Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo, in a press release issued on Thursday, said the Government of United States strongly condemned the deadly attacks on civilians that occurred in a shopping mall, a government office on Wednesday in Colombo and on a bus carrying schoolchildren on Tuesday near Ki'linochchi. "Only a political solution, not a military one, offers a way out of the current cycle of escalating violence," reiterated the U.S. statement.

Full text of the press release issued by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo follows:

U.S. GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS CYCLE OF ESCALATING VIOLENCE

Colombo, November 29, 2007: The Government of the United States strongly condemns the deadly attacks on civilians that occurred in a shopping mall and a government office on November 28 in Colombo and on a bus carrying schoolchildren on November 27 near Kilinochochi.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. Incidents such as these will lead to further loss of life, destruction, and suffering for the people of Sri Lanka.

Only a political solution, not a military one, offers a way out of the current cycle of escalating violence. We call on all Sri Lankans to work toward the goal of a just, political solution to the conflict.